Despite Injury-plagued Seasons, J.J. Watt Favored to Win Defensive Player of the Year

Vegas oddsmakers think the Texans defensive lineman can stay healthy for the first time in years.

7 months ago

Over his first five seasons in the NFL, J.J. Watt played in every one of his team’s games.

Then the injury bug hit, leading to the Texans defensive lineman only suiting up for eight out of his team’s 32 regular-season games over the past two years.

Now healthy again, Watt is hoping to stay on the field and regain the form that helped him win NFL Defensive Player of the Year not once, not twice, but three times.

Apparently Vegas oddsmakers think he can do it because the bookmakers at Bovada have installed Watt as the favorite to win the award once again at 5-1.

Bovada is seems fairly confident Watt can stay on the field and, interestingly enough, also fairly sure two players who are currently off of it thanks to contract disputes, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack, will also have good seasons.

Those two, along with Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa, have 11-2 odds to win the award.

Other players with longer shots of taking home the Defensive Player of the Year trophy include Von Miller, Luke Kuechly, Cameron Jordan, Chandler Jones, and Harrison Smith.